This North Carolina vacation guide has information on the mountains,
the Piedmont, the coast and
Outer
Banks, NC Information has been carefully researched from
travel pamphlets gathered from personal travels

North Carolina offers a huge spectrum of interesting things to do
and see, from the beaches to the mountains. The scenery is breathtaking
all over the state.

In North Carolina, fly a kite on a deserted beach or climb a mountain.
Snow ski at a NC ski resort or water ski at one of the many
lakes.
Sit by a lake and fish all day or just enjoy the beauty of nature.

North Carolina is rich in history and there are plenty of historic
landmarks throughout the state to visit. Watch a reenactment of a Revolutionary
War battle. Tour Civil War battlefields
and museums. Visit a plantation home or discover how the Native American
Indians lived over a 100 years ago.

AsheboroEnjoy the day with the kids as you discover wild animals in their
natural habitat at the North Carolina Zoo. Hike five miles of trails.
Watch exotic birds in their simulated tropical environment. It is well
worth the trip.

Asheville is located in the western mountains of the state. It is
a beautiful area especially in the Fall of the year. The changing colors
of the leaves in Autumn blanket the western mountains drawing thousands
of visitors to the area. Asheville is best known for the Biltmore House
which is another major tourist attraction. Other attractions include
the Grove Park Inn and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many tourists visit to
enjoy nature. Go camping, hiking, boating, bird watching. Just thirty
three miles northeast from Asheville is Mount Mitchell, the tallest
mountain on the east coast of the United States. There are some beautiful
views from atop of the mountain.

Charlotte
is the largest city in the state. Ride a roller coaster at Carowinds
Theme park or find out how your body works at Discovery. Explore the
Carolina Raptor Center. Visit Latta Plantation, Hezekiah Alexander home
site and other historic sites, museums or memorials. Watch a race at
NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway. Stroll through the UNC-Charlotte Botanical
Gardens and enjoy the flowers. Attend concerts and sporting events at
the Coliseum. Picnic in a park. Enjoy a festival at Freedom Park. Go
birdwatching at the Bird Sanctuary. Use the international airport for
your next flight or just visit and watch the planes fly in and out.
There are also shopping malls, golf courses and other entertaining venues.
You can spend a day or a month exploring everything the Charlotte area
has to offer.

Cherokee discover
a Cherokee Indian village, tour a museum on the history of the Cherokee
Indians or watch the famous Under these hills outdoor drama play. Fish
in the best trout streams anywhere or play the slot machines at Harrah's
casino. Cherokee is located in the western mountains. The Great Smoky
Mountains Park is one of the major attractions in the area. Go hiking,
biking, camping. Explore nature. Discover wildlife. Bird watch

DurhamIs the home of the prestigious Duke University. There are lots of
museums, historic sites, gardens, cultural exhibits and festivals. In
addition, there are parks that offer outdoor recreation like hiking,
fishing, rafting, boating and more fun.

Mount
Airywas made famous by Andy Griffith Show, a 1960's sitcom.
Andy Griffith was born in Mt. Airy. The town is often referred to as
Mayberry. It is a small town with a friendly population. There are historic
sites, wineries, a granite quarry and festivals held every year.

Raleighis the state's capital.
It is named for Sir Walter Raleigh who is credited with colonization
of North Carolina. Naturally, there are plenty of historic sites to
explore. Tour the Executive Mansion, the State Capital building, the
Joel Lane house and other historic buildings. Walk around Raleigh's
historic district. Stroll through the gardens. Visit the NC Museum of
Art, History or Sciences. Take a picnic to the area's parks. Go kayaking,
canoeing or sailing at a nearby lake or on the Neuse River. Watch a
motorcross race at the Capitol City Bicycle Motocross Race Track. Enjoy
the state fair, an art festival, a Renaissance Faire or other events
held every year.

On the North Carolina Coast, visit the USS North Carolina battleship
of World War 2 fame at Wilmington. Take a tour of Fort Macon, an old
civil war fort or the Colonial village at Beaufort
which is complete with stocks and pillars. Observe sharks and other
marine life at the NC aquariums located in 3 different locations:
Morehead City, Fort Fisher and Roanoke
Island. Attend the oldest outdoor drama, the Lost Colony about the first
English settlement in America that disappeared without a trace. Stroll
through the Elizabethan Gardens at
Roanoke
Island. Take a dinner cruise or go dolphin watching. Charter a boat
to go fishing in the Gulf Stream. Look for sea shells and sand dollars.
Enjoy the sunset or sunrise over the ocean. Find a secluded beach to
relax and reflect on the beauty here.